Can I drive home after C section if baby discharged today?

[Agrette0]

Hi, probably a daft question but I’m really not sure what to do and I don’t want to get in trouble.

I had my baby girl on Friday morning by C section, she came a bit early while we were up visiting family in Preston. We actually live in Great Barr (Birmingham area) and were only meant to be staying the weekend but my waters went suddenly on Thursday night.

Baby’s doing well and they’re saying we can be discharged later today. The problem is we’re quite far from home and I don’t really have anyone who can come get us. My partner can’t drive (we usually use my car) and my mum doesn’t drive either. Everyone’s saying wait a few days but we’re stuck in hospital and I just want to get baby home and settled.

I feel ok in myself apart from being a bit sore when I get up or twist, but I can move around fine and it’s an automatic car. It’s about a 2 hour drive mostly motorway (M6).

I know they say not to drive for 6 weeks after a section but is that like an actual rule or just what they recommend? I’d obviously take it slow and stop if needed.

Has anyone here driven sooner and been ok? I’m desperate to get home now and baby’s not sleeping well here at all.

Thanks x

This!

Your partner should have been the one arranging transport home

I know they say not to drive for 6 weeks after a section

Never knew about this rule until now. Can't remember when I started driving after mine

You won’t be covered by the DVLA because you can’t do an emergency stop. That’s what I was told after an operation last year (it was two weeks for me though).

It’s not either or. Speak to the insurance company to find out what they require - driving without insurance is illegal! - and speak to the consultant to see if you meet the insurance company’s requirements and if they are happy for you to drive. Days after a C section the answer is going to be no in any event.

Good point! @Agrette0 Why isn't your partner looking out for you? Surely he if he is a decent man, wouldn't leave this on you to arrange. Any decent man would be arranging it for his partner who just gave birth. He sounds useless. A male who isn't interested in driving and leaves you to make the arrangements to get home. What have you tied yourself to for 18 years? Not much of a partner is he. Can't drive you back, leaves you to arrange your own way back. He is the one that should be contacting his mum/dad/sister/brother/aunt/uncle/cousin/colleague/neighbour/family friend etc. What is he doing sitting at home, nothing?

He gets a 2 week holiday from work

Remember to take regular breaks and take baby out of the car seat.
A newborn shouldnt be in a car for 2 hours

Stop and take baby out of car seat every 30 minutes

I’d really try not to drive yet — it’s just too soon after surgery. Even if you feel okay, one quick turn or sudden brake could really hurt. Maybe see if someone can help with a lift or stay put a bit longer? I know it’s hard when you just want to get home with your baby, but better to rest a few more days and heal safely.

Off topic I know but where are you moving (distance) and is someone from Shiply transporting your car or are you letting them drive it? What insurance set up?

Do this, get home and then go on FB and ask to pay £££ for someone to get insured for a day to go fetch your car.

No. Stop. PLEASE don’t!

the issue is not insurance. The issue is that in order to get your baby out they had to cut through your abdominal muscle. These are the muscles you use to brake and more specifically, to perform an emergency stop.

your muscles are no-where near healed (the process takes the full 6weeks) and you are unsafe to drive. If you do use those muscles at this point to drive the risk of internal scar rupture is very high. You would be a danger to the passengers in your car and are putting your health and possible life at very real risk.

go to a hotel and consider other ways to get home such as paying someone to chauffeur you or getting the train (still not ideal so soon after birth, but I understand you need to get home).

Do NOT. Drive.

Not true

What! Utter nonsense.

It's 100 percent true. You need GP to sign you off before driving. Mine wouldn't until 6 weeks.

This is exactly what I was thinking though? Tough to be a mum going forward & Dad doesn't drive at all. Mothers Load will be even heavier won't it?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/miscellaneous-conditions-assessing-fitness-to-drive#:~:text=Notwithstanding%20any%20restrictions%20or%20requirements,be%20safe%20to%20do%20so.

Post surgery, check with a doctor re fitness to drive.

Brilliant update - I was AGHAST you - and he - were even considering it.

I hope this is a kick up the arse for your partner - he needs to learn to drive and pull his weight.

Is there any more essential stuff he just doesn't get round to?

Keep an eye on that - You are going to end up as a mule if that continues.

All best, and congratulations.

DVLA doesn’t cover anyone dvla is a driving agency . And the insurance thing is nothing but a myth . Why can’t she do an emergency stop exactly ? Op is safe home anyway but people need to stop spreading fake info

A thought - who made all the enquiries about how to get you all home safely and comfortably?

Hopefully you were able to lie back and relax while he stepped up and made all the enquiries and calls and arrangements?

Exactly.

Op will require much rest and being discharged from hospital with little sleep and drugs (she should or will be taking pain relief) is going to make it not safe

You can't do an emergency stop because 1. many of the muscles needed to do so have been cut by surgery, and are repairing, and 2. you have stitches that can be pulled and in worst case scenario tear if you have a sudden jolt. Lastly, it's likely to cause a huge amount of pain at best! Being driven home after a C section is in itself painful, unless the driver goes slowly and avoids bumps.

It was the local council, I had parked in a one hour only bay and they just kept piling them on. I’m still fighting them almost 3 years later!

Because a section is major abdominal surgery with a lot of stitches inside and out. The muscles that you need to perform an emergency stop are all stitched up.

Is that where we're at these days that people simply can't join up the dots anymore and make themselves look a bit daft?